This Article was featured in the July, 2001 edition of
The Orient Express
("The" Pekingese Magazine)
I feel very honored that I was chosen by the
editor and associates of Orient Express to share with other breeders,
show people, and lovers of the breed, my life with the Pekingese.
This also gives me an opportunity to acknowledge my profound love of the
Pekingese, who somewhere in that small lion-like body of each one lurks
the soul of a child, manifesting itself with every stubborn demand that
it makes and with the same devotion as the love of a child to a parent.
Be it known that I was not raised with purebred dogs nor in a dog show world. Far from it and totally unknown to me. I was born on my grandfather's old farm, lived there my whole life and still reside there, as my father before me until his death. My 89-year-old mother still lives in the original house on the farm, as does my older brother who has his own house on the property. The only signs remaining of farming are a few cattle, a garden, and lots of Pekingese. When I was a child we had dogs and we loved them. I cannot tell you what kind because they were sort of a mixture, if you get my meaning. They ran the land by day but were brought into the house nights and winters.
I guess compared to some of the breeders of 20, 30, or 40 years of breeding and showing Pekingese one might call me a novice of 12 years. But if you measure one by the hands-on work and learning that I have put into it I might qualify as a veteran. I am sure it was likewise for many of you. I was not one who was able to just go and buy an excellent bitch and breed her to an outstanding stud when I began. To this day, I only have or have had three bitches, which came from sources outside my kennel. I now have 24 dogs and bitches and six puppies, all of excellent quality used either for showing or breeding. I would like to say thank you to the judges who recognize this when they're in the ring.
I will never forget the first Peke I ever saw. I was a new bride of 14 years of age.... Continue reading this story
